MEMORY VERSE: “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” – 1 Peter 2:17 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 13:7-8 (KJV)
LESSON INTRODUCTION: In our previous lesson, we learnt why and how we should honour God. We also learnt the meaning of honour which is to bestow value upon someone or highly esteem another. The Bible exhort us to give honour to whom it is due (Romans 13:7). In this lesson, we shall attempt to categorize those who deserve honour and how we can attain honour as well.
LESSON OUTLINES
- WHO DESERVE HONOUR?
- HOW CAN WE ATTAIN TRUE HONOUR?
- WHO DESERVE HONOUR?
The idea of honoring people is Biblical and can be showcased in many of our basic relationship. Here are some of them:
- Citizen-Authority relationship. We are to honour especially those in authority through obedience and demonstration of respect, irrespective of their age or qualification. This comes from the fact that they representative God’s intimate authority (Romans 13:1-2)
- Laity-Clergy relationships. The Bible speaks of the relationship of the church as deserving ‘double-honour’ (1Timothy 5:17)
- Employee-Employer relationship. We are equally commended to honour one another in our Employee-Employer relationships (Ephesians 6:5-9).
- Husband-Wife relationships. In a marriage relationship, the husband is expected to love and show appreciation to his wife while she reciprocates with reverence (Ephesians 5:33).
- Children-Parents relationships. The command to honour our parents comes with a promise (Exodus 20:12). To do otherwise is to attract untimely death (Matthew 15:4)
On the whole, the Bible admonishes us to honour all men (1 Peter 2:17).
- HOW CAN WE ATTAIN TRUE HONOUR
The Bible teaches that true honour is found in God (Deuteronomy 26:19). Anyone who wishes to attain true honour must, first of all, have a cordial relationship with God (Psalm 91:14-15). Therefore to attain honour, we must be righteous (Proverbs 21:21); humble (Proverbs 22:4; Proverbs 15:33); wise and intelligent (Proverbs 4:7-8); hardworking and delight (Proverbs 22:29); faithful and maintain integrity (Psalm 41:12; Proverbs 20:7), among others.
CONCLUSION
If we honour those promoted by God, He will honour us too. Do not look down on anyone.